For the past 39 years, BUCFP has been at the frontline providing food and essential services for those in need in Brighton and the Tarner area. Throughout the Coronavirus crisis we have adapted our services to support the needs of local people, providing crucial support to those struggling. It’s a stressful time for all of us but it’s much easier to face lockdown with a full fridge. Whilst local councils have made much of their pledge to find everyone temporary accommodation, too often it’s without adequate, if any, cooking facilities and food is expensive. At BUCFP we normally use surplus food from Fareshare to prepare hot meals served in our busy community centre, however as we were unable to open to the public during lockdown we quickly adapted and set up an emergency food parcel delivery service. These were personalised to the needs, cooking facilities and dietary requirements of each household.
From March to August we delivered over 2550 food parcels and hot meals to 346 households, feeding 450 adults and 225 children, supporting some of the most vulnerable in our community. This was a fantastic achievement which would not have been possible thanks to our dedicated team of volunteer packers, lifters, drivers and planners. All went above and beyond to help in such challenging times and enabled BUCFP to be one of the first food hubs to be set up in lock down with no break in service provision. Although we are still not open to the public, our talented volunteer chefs are preparing cooked meals for collection twice per week on a Wednesday and a Friday 12:30-13:30 for £1.00 per meal with free surplus fruit, veg and bread also available for collection.
As lockdown restrictions were relaxed we were able to resume some of our normal services including our Playroom - a free Ofsted registered early years setting. This is for children 1 years old - up to the age of 8 years old. The Playroom is now more outdoor focussed with sessions in Tarner Park. This gives children a chance to connect with nature and explore their outdoor surroundings, using real tools and taking risks in a safe way.
Our allotment at Walpole Road has been a lifeline for volunteers and families in need of outdoor space this year. The crops during the summer were given out in food parcels and continue to supply our kitchen with local organic produce. The allotment remains available for booked sessions for adults and accompanied children on Mondays.
We have a computer room here at the centre with a printer and internet access. For those who are digitally excluded, this is a worrying time as they cannot access critical online services like finding up-to-date and accurate information, accessing health advice and services, and buying essentials online. We are offering booked, one to one (socially distanced) digital support appointments with our digital champion volunteers to continue to support vulnerable people access the internet and gain digital skills. We are also still providing welfare and benefits advice online and by phone.
As winter draws in and Christmas approaches, we are spreading festive cheer and gifting hampers to local people who are struggling this year. Hampers to include, treats, toys/activity packs, hot water bottle, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, toiletries and other goodies. If you can think of local people who might be in need or would like to donate items, please get in touch, (see contact details below)
We are also running a socially distanced Christmas grotto for children aged 0-12 years on Sunday 13th December. (booking required) please call by 12pm Friday 11th December at the latest to avoid disappointment.
We continue to be amazed and humbled by the support we’ve been shown by so many from local people and organisations who have donated and supported us throughout this pandemic. From baking personalised birthday cakes to go out in food parcels, to gifting art supplies for activity packs, it is fantastic to see charities and community groups working together and supporting each other during such challenging times.
Next year is our fortieth year and we have exciting plans on the horizon including our AGM, new dance classes and educational workshops, running group, a cook book and celebration events so watch this space.
For more information and regular updates about what services we offer please see our website, Facebook or Instagram.
Our normal office hours are Tues-Friday 10am-4pm.
Christmas office hours are 10am-2pm 22nd-23rd Dec
CLOSED 24TH, 25TH Dec, 1st Jan
No Playroom, Lunches, Allotment, Digital Support or Laundry services 22nd Dec– 5th January
6 Tilbury Place, Brighton BN2 0GY
T: 01273 671 213
E: info@bucfp.org
